SIA Applauds FCC Chairman Pai’s Call to Empower Satellite Entrepreneurs and Streamline SmallSAT Regulations

Washington, D.C., July 09, 2019 – The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) today commended Federal Telecommunications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai for his commitment to streamline the regulatory processes to make it easier and cheaper to license small satellites and to empower satellite companies who are working to bridge the digital divide in America with broadband services. This follows remarks made by Chairman Pai at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Policy Roundtable on SmallSAT Integration held earlier today in Washington, D.C.

During his remarks, Chairman Pai recognized the generational and revolutionary changes currently taking place in the space industry and also announced plans for the Commission later this week, to release a draft order designed to streamline regulations and lower the cost of licensing small satellites.

Chairman Pai stated, “We now stand on the cusp of unprecedented opportunity for the commercial space sector—and ultimately for American consumers, who will be the chief beneficiaries if the industry can succeed in space. The FCC has been and will continue to be a willing partner as we all seek to transform this potential into reality.”

“SIA commends FCC Chairman Pai and the FCC for their plans to streamline the licensing of small satellites and for their continued recognition of the role satellite broadband will play in bridging the digital divide in America,” said Tom Stroup, President of SIA.

“Thanks to rapid growth and innovation, we truly are seeing a revolution in the satellite industry and streamlining the licensing regime governing the industry can only serve and encourage continued innovation. We look forward to seeing the text of the new order and to working with the Chairman and his team at the Commission in helping ensure continued American innovation and leadership in the commercial satellite and space industries.”

For a copy of FCC Chairman Pai’s speech, please see the following link.

https://www.fcc.gov/document/chairman-pai-chamber-roundtable-small-satellite-integration

About The Satellite Industry Association

SIA is a U.S.-based trade association providing representation of the leading satellite operators, service providers, manufacturers, launch services providers, and ground equipment suppliers. For more than two decades, SIA has advocated on behalf of the U.S. satellite industry on policy, regulatory, and legislative issues affecting the satellite business. For more information, visit www.sia.org.

SIA Executive Members include: AT&T Services, Inc.; The Boeing Company; EchoStar Corporation; Intelsat S.A.; Iridium Communications Inc.; Kratos Defense & Security Solutions; Ligado Networks; Lockheed Martin Corporation; ; SES Americom, Inc.; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.; Spire Global Inc.; and Viasat, Inc.

SIA Associate Members include: ABS US Corp.; Airbus Defense and Space, Inc.; Analytical Graphics, Inc.; Artel, LLC; Blue Origin; Eutelsat America Corp.; ExoAnalytic Solutions; Globalstar, Inc.; Glowlink Communications Technology, Inc.; HawkEye 360; Hughes; Inmarsat, Inc.; Kymeta Corporation; Leonardo DRS; Omnispace; Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Peraton; Planet; Speedcast Government; SSL; Telesat Canada; and XTAR, LLC.

SIA Affiliate Members include: The Aerospace Corporation; AQYR Technologies; COMSAT; Comtech EF Data; Envistacom, LLC; Integrasys LLC, Kencast; NB+C; Newtec; ; Radeus Labs, Inc.; RUAG Space; Sheppard Mullin; and Wiley Rein LLP